Petroleum Corporation’s bonus payments stir controversy

A letter dated December 23, 2024 and signed by Secretary to the Treasury, K. M. Mahinda Siriwardena, was sent to the chairmen of commercial corporations, statutory boards and government owned companies regarding the payment of bonuses for the year 2024. The letter, issued under reference number PE/COP/POLI/Circulars, provides details on the bonus payments for these institutions.

Should Cleaning Sri Lanka be more than Click- bait Sri Lanka?

For a political party that had thrived in chaos and actively sowed it, the new government’s initiative to ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ is a step in the right direction. Never mind the satire on social media and the chatter on the roadside of the three-wheeler bros who ‘gave the country to Anura’ now having to fret about being forced to remove unauthorized add-ons to their vehicles. And bus drivers defend their divine right to drive a full on ‘Devalaya’ with

Like ‘Rip Van Winkle’, our Premier awakens..

Our Prime Minister apparently made a startling discovery recently. According to media sources, she urged “a comprehensive investigation into the increasing trend of absenteeism among students pursuing Advanced Level education...”. The PM’s ‘discovery’ of student absenteeism, brings to mind the legend of ‘Rip Van Winkle’. Rip Van Winkle was a character created by ‘Washington Irwin’ who is described as the first American man of letters. Rip Van Win

Frustrated families urge to bring back loved ones trafficked to Russo-Ukrainian War

Families of victims trafficked into Russia and forcibly conscripted into the Russian army, alongside activists, gathered outside the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (6th January), once again urging authorities to intervene and bring their loved ones home.

Should the govt. follow the manifesto or not?

The big question these days is about the NPP manifesto. Some want to rub the nose of our current rulers in the gap between promises and performance. But is this a productive path?

Country needs a strong and responsible Opposition

Political history is full of anecdotes involving famous personalities. Here is one such story involving one of the prominent leaders of the Ceylon Communist Party (CCP) Pieter Keuneman.

‘ETH-PORAYA’ with humans needs a science-based approach

Readers of a certain vintage may recall the iconic sketch that adorned the cover of the Upper Kindergarten Sinhala textbook ‘Kumarodaya’—a vivid depiction of five elephants fused into a chaotic,

There’s still no justice 40 years after Fr. Bastian was killed

Today, January 6, will mark the 40th anniversary of the killing of Fr. Mary Bastian, a Catholic priest from the Catholic Diocese of Mannar, in the Northern province in Sri Lanka.

Self-Sufficiency in the New Year

Sri Lanka over the last three years has been hit by tremendous price hikes and shortages of essential services and goods.

Unfulfilled dreams and government’s forgotten promises - EDITORIAL

Why do politicians make grandiose promises they cannot possibly keep? After all making and keeping promises should be a matter of self-esteem.

Life and Times of LTTE’s Ex-Jaffna Commander “Col” Kittu

Nowadays the 33 year long war between the armed forces of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is slowly receding into memory. The LTTE,

The President and the ‘state of the nation’

On 1st January, at the launch of the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme, President Dissanayake did something our past presidents have seldom done. He drew public attention to the weaknesses in our system of administration. In a way he is saying ‘mea culpa’ and seeking public help to correct the same.

Clean Sri Lanka vs. bureaucratic breaks

How many of the 22 million people of this country might have had the interest to listen to the speech delivered by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during the launch of his ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ project on January 1?

Is environment unsuitable for UNHRC to help Rohingya people in Sri Lanka?

“There is still no basis to consider them as refugees yet. For now, this is regarded as a case of human trafficking.

From one annus horribilis to another: Can greetings change our fate?

All the wishes and greetings for 2025 count for nothing. The New Year tradition stems from a conjecture, as humans have no record to say that time started or the Earth began its journey around the Sun on January 1 some 4.6 billion years ago.

The art of advertising a new political culture - EDITORIAL

The manner in which our new Executive President is promoting the goal of rebuilding this country must be lauded. He is so genuine in his attempts to lift this nation from the depths of despair.

Mother of Altair victim to sue CIS for alleged negligence

The untimely death of Jivon Zoro Singh (15), a student of Colombo International School (CIS) who fell to his death from the Altair luxury apartment complex sparked much controversy over the past few months.

Grieved parties must note that ‘this regime is still quite popular’

Sri Lanka is a country that pays special attention to workers, especially those employed in the garments industry. This is because workers can be categorised into a group that can be exploited or one that produces headaches for the government.

Could ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ rebuild a fractured nation? - EDITORIAL

On the first working day of the New Year, the government launched its Clean Sri Lanka programme, aimed at ‘rebuilding a fractured nation’ as described President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Year 2024 Review

Year 2024 Review

Price controls in a market economy - could it work?

In the run-up to its election victories at the presidential and parliamentary elections, the JVP/NPP combine promised to bring down the cost of living. Today, while a majority of ordinary workers earn between Rs. 40,000/- to Rs. 60,000/- per month, the cost of providing a family of four, three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner), costs over Rs. 100,000/- per month!

2025 - A year of growth or complacency for the Government ?

Sri Lanka enters 2025 on a much better footing than it was a year ago. The country may not be out of the woods yet. Still, the economy has made a tremendous comeback, and the country has finally gained political stability through presidential and general elections.

Challenges and opportunities for India in crisis-ridden Myanmar

A NEW YEAR IN THE UNIVERSE A TIME TO BEGIN AFRESH

We in Sri Lanka celebrate April 13th as our Sinhala and Hindu New Year day. We observe traditional and cultural rites on this day. However, officially we treat January 1st as the first day of the year as accepted internationally. January 1st – the New Year day is also a day of traditional, cultural and religious festivals and an occasion for celebration. This time it is the dawn of 2025, the year during which we in Sri Lanka hope to bring prosper

Solution to rice crisis a litmus test for Govt.

The ruling National People’s Power (NPP) has been in power for more than 100 days. It is a significant milestone for the new government. The NPP’s first time governing experience is watched over by many including the opposition parties, media, the international community and more importantly the citizenry of this country.

Elephant drives ; Is it a feasible solution to mitigate HEC?

Sri Lankan citizens have many hopes and aspirations towards the incumbent government which was elected to power through a large mandate. The incumbent government’s solution to mitigate the human-elephant conflict aims to implement a community-driven approach to mitigate the conflict by assessing elephant migratory patterns and their habitats based on biological interventions and new technological innovations. But it is rather unfortunate that thi

HOW CAN THE NEW GOVERNMENT BEST TAKE CARE OF OUR CHILDREN and YOUTH?

Stop Child Cruelty Trust (SCCT) and Child Protection Alliance (CPA) comprising of thirteen credible organisations committed to protect and promote the rights of children have appealed to President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the newly elected Government to elevate child welfare to the heart of national governance ushering a new dawn, firmly focusing on the true beneficiaries of the future: our children first.

Corruption during human misery How billions of tsunami aid disappeared without a trace

Local media highlighted the twentieth anniversary of devastating Tsunami that struck Sri Lanka on December 26, 2004 and snatched away almost one percent of the Muslim population.

Ten veteran journalists honoured at 69th Sri Lanka Press Association anniversary

The 69th Anniversary Convention of the Sri Lanka Press Association (SLPA) and D. F. Kariyakarawana Memorial Media Awards were held recently at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute auditorium under the aegis of Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Hansaka Wijayamuni.

‘A thriving nation, a beautiful life’ Hundred Days of President’s Journey

As 2024 approaches its conclusion, December 31st stands as a noteworthy marker—the President’s first hundred days in office.